Bøger af Kenneth Lee McGee

"Annie Mercer O'Dell, what a surprise to see you in my office!"Vice-Principal Daniel Kemmerick said with all the sarcasm he could muster. He shook his head, ran his fingers through his prematurely graying hair, then sat down heavily.Annie made direct eye contact, raised her hand in the air, used her most charming smile and said,"I didn't do it, Mr. Kemmerick. I swear I'm innocent!" Mr. Kemmerick leaned back in his black leather desk chair."Why is it that I don't believe you, even thoughI don't yet know what you're talking about?"Spend a year of high school with Annie Mercer O'Delland her friends.Annie lives with her father, a police detective, who hasraised her as a single parent from the age of five.She must deal with the school principal, who happens to be her paternal grandfather, on an almost daily basis.The "Annie Mercer O'Dell" series begins when Annie is a junior in high school in the midwestern city of South Hampshire.In this first book, "Roosevelt High" Anniestruggles with peer pressure and a relationship with the school bad

"What do you want to ask me, Tony?"Tony asked, "Would you...?" He looked around to spot the waiter. The waiter walked into the kitchen. Tony felt the beads of sweat roll down his forehead and face. Emmy smiled. Tony's throat became as dry as the Sahara desert. Mama nodded. Tony's heart raced. Emmy licked her lips. Mama closed her eyes and prayed.Tony blurted out, "Did you like the ravioli tonight?" Many facets of Emmy's life change in this six month time span. She embarks on a possible new career path using a gift from God. She and her best friend, Kristen, become housemates. She records a song written on a pair of paper napkins which changes her life forever.Tears poured from Kenny's eyes as he scribbled words on a napkin."What are you writing, Kenny?" Emmy asked.They didn't speak as Kenny wrote on another napkin. Emmy thought about Yolanda Garcia and started to cry. Emmy used Tony's handkerchief again to dry her eyes. "I feel that I should have done more for her. I should have known she wasn't at church.""It's not your fault, Em. I'm sure you did everything you could. You couldn't have known what would happen. No one did, but God," Kristen said.Kenny stopped writing and looked at Emmy. "I never met Yolanda, but take a look at this, and tell me what you think, Em."Emmy read the lyrics and more tears flowed down her face. "How could you have written this?""I didn't, Em. I wrote the words on the paper, but I didn't write the song.""I think I understand, Kenny. I think I really understand."The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy is four years old and quickly progresses to focus on her teen years and beyond. In this fourth book, "Did You Like The Ravioli Tonight?: Emmy's Story, Part 4," Emmy continues working full-time while finding time to take college classes and grow in her faith. She joins her church's worship band and discovers a new calling for her life.

"I don't know how to explain this to you, Lynette, but I'll try. A few days ago my boyfriend Tony broke up with me, I think..." Emmy explained everything that had happened up until last night. "So last night after I said a prayer for Tony, I got my old Bible out of my dresser. I haven't read it in years, but I opened it and read a couple passages. Anyway, I knew that I needed to talk to Jesus and ask for forgiveness for being such a lousy person. So I fell to my knees and just started talking to Him. I've said prayers for different things or for people before, but this was different. When I was finished, I felt so... so... calm. I don't know how to explain it, but I felt like all the cares that had been just tearing me apart were gone. I felt a peace in my heart and... I don't understand." Emmy makes the biggest decision of her life and it has nothing to do with boyfriends. Her life takes on a new direction."He is, Sean. He's a good friend." "Are you saying he's just a friend now?""Yeah, I don't think I have a boyfriend at the moment."Sean knew there had to more to the story, but he didn't pry.The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy is four years old and then quickly progresses to focus on her teen years and beyond. In this third book, "A New Friend: Emmy's Story Part 3," Emmy finds a new job, shares a house with her sister, still struggles with romance and begins a new journey in her faith in God.

The wooden stairs squeaked as four-year-old Emmy Colasanti, blue eyes sparkling, scrambled up to the second-floor apartment where she lived.Mommy! Mommy! I know who I want to marry when I get older.""Oh, and who are you planning to marry, Emmy?" Mom asked.Emmy pulled the purple ribbon from her hair, letting her ponytail fall free. "He kissed me, so we are going to get married."Does Emmy marry her childhood friend? Does her lifelong friendship with the church-going boy next door develop into romance? How does she reconcile her relationship with the neighborhood "bad boy?"Emmy's petite stature, youthful appearance, tomboyish love of sports and deep interest in music set her apart from the other girls as she enters high school. She yearns to fit in, but rejects the popular crowd's expectations and becomes frustrated by other students who assign her the same unwholesome morals as her older sister. How will she cope with this misconception? And will she learn to cope with her dysfunctional family? The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy is four years old and then quickly progresses to focus on her teen years and beyond. In this first book, "We Were "Posed To Get Married: Emmy's Story Part 1," Emmy, growing up in the Midwestern city of South Hampshire, gains valuable life experience as she struggles with romance, peer pressure, and ponders her faith in God.

"Doug, can you see where you're going in this rain?" Barbara Dawson peered through the windshield. "It's not that bad. I've driven this road a million times." Douglas Dawson patted her hand to reassure her. "Did you enjoy yourself tonight, Barb? I know you're disappointed Jim and Sarah couldn't come." "I still had a good time," she answered. The lightning flashed again. Followed immediately by a thunderous boom. Doug's night vision momentarily vanished. "That was close! I could feel the wheel shake." "Maybe we should pull over." "We can't. There isn't any shoulder." More lightning sizzled through the humid air, and the thunder clapped simultaneously. "I don't feel good about this. I've never liked this hill." "We'll be home soon." Once again the lightning exploded. The thunder reverberated and shook the small car. "That was too close for comfort." Douglas pointed. "Are those headlights on the..." Welcome to Stockton Woods. This book introduces us to the characters who live... and die... in this small Midwestern town.

"We need to talk about what Dr. Walsh said, Kenny.""You mean about not having any more babies, huh?""Yes. I know you have mentioned having a dozen.""I know that's not going to happen, Em.""We have a couple options. One of us has to get fixed.""Okay," Kenny said slowly."You could get snipped."His eyes opened wide. "I'll do it if you want me to.""You don't really want to, do you?""Not really, but it would be the easiest solution."She stared at him for a moment and then shook her head."No, the problem is mine. I should be the one who gets fixed. What if something happens to me? You might want to have more babies.""Nothing is going to happen to you, and I wouldn't want to have babies with anyone else.""That's sweet of you to say, but you might change your mind.""I suppose it is a remote possibility.""That settles it. I'll get my tubes tied."He sighed with relief. "That's a good idea. I like that option.""Men are such wimps." She rolled her eyes.Isabella got on her knees by Emmy's head and whispered,"Why are you always kissing Daddy?" "It's because I love him, Isa." Isabella looked at her very seriously for a moment and then asked,"How long are you going to 'wuv' Daddy?" Emmy smiled and said,"Forever... Isabella... Forever.

TyAnn Allyson Benjamin let the wooden screen door slam behind her as she hurried outside. She jumped down the two porch steps and came running down the sidewalk in front of the house after her older brother and hollered, "Wait for me, Bubby!" Her brown eyes glistened as she scrambled toward the seven-year-old brother she idolized. Big brother Robert Lee Benjamin stopped and turned around. He set his Zorro lunchbox on the ground. "TyAnn, you need to stay home," he told her when she caught up to him. "Bubby, I want to go with you!""I have to go to school. You need to stay home and help Mommy.""Will you be gone all day? Can't you come home for lunch?"Robert dried the tears running down her cheek. "If it'll make you happy, I'll tell Mrs. Heaton that I have to come home for lunch. You can see the school from the backyard, and I will wave to you when I get there, okay?" "Promise?" TyAnn's lip quivered. "You won't forget, will you?""Yes, Tanny, I promise."So begins a fictionalized account of life in a small town from the author. The story spans over sixty years in the lives of the Benjamin family, their friends, relatives and their hometown. Joys, heartbreaks and humor fill their existence. If you enjoy eating homemade ice cream fast enough to get a brain-freeze, come along for the ride.

"I hate you! I hate you!" Emmy Colasanti raised the ice pick above her head and repeatedly stabbed down with as much force as she could muster.Suddenly, someone from behind grabbed her wrist before she could strike again. "Emmy, what are you doing?" Tony Bertucci asked as he held onto her arm.On her eighteenth birthday Emmy Colasanti faces some tough choices."Emmy, where do you wanna go to eat? Since it's your birthday, I'll take you anywhere you want to go."Emmy thought about it. "You know, I think my favorite place is still either Darby's or La Cantina. How about La Cantina? It's a little bit nicer than Darby's, and since it is for my birthday, let's go there."Emmy learns to deal with the pressures of living alone. She faces the prospect of losing her job, and must decide where to live after a storm destroys her apartment. And some other more serious choices. She must choose between two men, who admire her."I don't know what to do, Mama. I love Kenny, but I think maybe I still love Tony, too. What am I gonna do? How will I ever choose between them? I know one of them will be hurt no matter who I choose." The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy is four years old and then quickly progresses to focus on her teen years and beyond. In this second book, "One of the Guys: Emmy's Story Part 2," Emmy, now living in her own apartment in the Midwestern city of South Hampshire, still struggles with romance, her sexual desires and her faith in God.

The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy isfour-years-old and quickly progresses to focuson her teen years and beyond. In this book, "Gideon's Tree: Emmy's Story, Part 15,"Emmy's comfortable life is changed by an online article."What are you looking at? Have you been crying?" Kenny asked."I was reading this article about a baby who passed away last year.He only lived for forty-three days."Kenny scooted around the couch. "What happened to him?""His heart didn't work right," Emmy said."What was his name? Does it say where he lived?""He lived in Florida. His name was Gideon.His parents would sit on a bench under anoak tree every morning to pray for him."She stresses over the girls getting older, Heather's interest in a local boyand is stunned by a friend's health crisis.Emmy slipped on the wet parking lot as she ran to her car.She thought about Kenny. I'll call him when I get to St. Bart's.There's no need to tell him about Gideon until I know more. She turned onto Canton Lane and headed to the hospital.She made it through several green lights, but then caught a red one at Townsend Avenue.Emmy pounded the steering wheel and muttered,"Come on change. How long can you stay red."The light changed.Emmy let out the clutch and floored the accelerator.The front tires struggled to gain traction on the damp pavement."Come on!" Emmy yelled.A split-second later the car was filled with flying glass and thescreeching sound of metal grinding against metal.The driver behind Emmy slammed on his brakes, slid sideways, came to a stop and swore."Holy Jesus!" his wife shouted as she was thrown forward."You better call 9-1-1.

"About time you called me. I miss you. What's up?" Liz asked."You know I've been helping out at SoHam First, right?""Yes.""Well, they don't want me back. I don't fit in with their style of worship,"Emmy said with some bitterness."I thought you were only filing in over there. This is your real home.You belong here, Em. We need you.""Ha! Riordan doesn't need me. He says he has lots of singers.""Emmy, everyone can sing. It's just a matter of making a noise.But you have a special gift. You have a beautiful voice, and you know how to help people worship. We are missing that right now.""What do you mean? Riordan and Sadie know how to worship.""Yes, they are very talented, but I've noticed the church doesn't have the same spark without you there. The band and singers can do a perfect job, but if the spirit isn't there, it doesn't work. We need you. Please come back, Em!" Liz waited for an answer."Em, are you crying?"Emmy nodded."We would be all right if you never made another dime from the band," Emmy said."We could cut back on expenses.""I could get a job teaching music.""I could get my education degree and teach school."Kenny laughed. "Who are we kidding, Em.My dream has always been to be a rock star.""I know," Emmy's eyes sparkled. "And if you keep working at it, one of these days it might come true, m'lord."The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy isfour-years-old and quickly progresses to focuson her teen years and beyond. In this book, "A Lifelong Dream: Emmy's Story, Part 14,"Emmy records a new CD, writes another book, tours with her band and deals with feeling unwantedby the new worship team leaders.Kenny faces a decision about the future of his band.

Emmy opened her eyes and jerked her head to her left as she heardsomeone pounding up the stairs. She rose to her feet as the door openedand Kenny slid into the room. Water dripped from every part of him."Emmy, I need to tell you something. I need to confess,"he said as a bolt of lightning flashed and thunder boomed."We have to talk about our future."Emmy bit her lip. She took a step forward but then stopped."Oh, Kenny." She closed her eyes. "I don't know if we have a future,"she whispered as she turned away."Don't move! Get on your knees and put your hands on top of your head,"Detective Warren Sanders shouted.Six other SoHam officers trained their weapons on the man. The man looked around for an escape route."Don't do it," Detective Sanders said.The man watched the six officers closing in, sighed and dropped to his knees. He placed his hands on his head."Cuff him," Detective Sanders ordered. "We've been looking for you, Ronald.""You got the wrong guy. I ain't done nothin'.""And it's going to stay that way. Get him out of here."Detective Sanders turned and waved to a man standing next to the south stands.The man waved back and whispered to Diane, "It's over. He's in custody.""Thank you, Rosco." Diane looked toward the area."So that was Ronald Delaney?""Yes, Todd's older brother. He was wanted in three states out west.""Do you think Emmy suspects anything?" Diane asked."I certainly hope not. If we're lucky, she'll never know this incident ever happened."Diane looked up and decided to hug him. "Will I ever know your real name?"The man she knew as Rosco Sandchek smiled. "Not if I do my job properly.""And you are very good at your job, right?""Yes, Mrs. Diane, I am," he said with a straight face and walked away.The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy isfour-years-old and quickly progresses to focuson her teen years and beyond. In this book, "Remember the Struggle: Emmy's Story, Part 12,"Emmy combines her busy life as a mother, a memberof the worship band, her singing careerand faces a new challenge.

This book differs from the previous Emmy stories. This book combines Emmy's present life with her efforts at writing a book about her life."But God! I write songs! Are you sure? I don't know if I can do that."She paused again and listened. "Okay, in Psalms 28:7, it says 'The Lord is my strength and my shield;my heart trusts in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.'My song, Lord. That's what I do.I write songs, not what you are asking." She closed her eyes and wept until Philippians 4:13 popped into her head."I can do all this through him who gives me strength."She sighed and took a deep breath."Fine! I won't fight you because you always win."At that moment Kenny entered the control room."You okay, Em. I thought I heard something.""That was me fighting against God," she said and then grinned."Did you win?""Of course not," she said . "But this is crazy."He tilted his head. "What? And why would you fight God?""Because I'm stubborn and because of what He wants me to do.""What is He asking you to do?"She raised her hands. "The Holy Spirit told me to write a book.""A book? Are you sure? You write songs."She looked up at Kenny, and he saw the sparkle in her eyes. Kenny let go of her hands. "What will you do?" She shrugged. "I'll do what He told me to. I don't know what good it will do, but I'll do it. I'll write a book about my life.Like anyone will want to read that."She laughed. "This is crazy. Where in the world would I start?"Kenny kissed her cheek. "I'm sure you will figure it out, m'lady."The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy isfour-years-old and quickly progresses to focuson her teen years and beyond. In this book, "But God! I Write Songs: Emmy's Story, Part 13,"Emmy struggles with the need to do as God askswhile dealing with her busy family life

Matt picked Annie up and carried her into the house.He filled the tub with water and she added the bubble bath. "I'll wait outside. Call me when I can come back."She slipped into the tub and hollered, "You can come back in now!"Matt came back in and sat on the toilet."Aren't you going to move closer?""Okay, are you nervous about letting me see you?""A little," she whispered.When she was ready to get out, Matt held her towel for her.Matt hugged her and said, "You smell so good.""I'm glad you like it. It's the same bubble bath I used as a child.""Is that why you smell like a strawberry?""Annie! What's wrong?""Go away, Matthew Sullivan. I never want to see you again, ever!"Matt looked at Mace, then at Erin."I'll talk to her, Matt," Erin offered. "I know she doesn't mean it."Erin tried the door, but it was locked. "Annie, it's me. Can I come in?""No! I don't want to see or talk to anyone. Make the guys go away."The "Annie Mercer O'Dell" series begins when Annie is a juniorin high school in the midwestern city of South Hampshireand continues to her college years. The third book, "Smoky Mountain Summer," follows Anniethrough the summer after her first year of college.

While rinsing the breakfast dishes, Emmy answered the landline thinking it would be her best friend, Kristen Randolph.Since her hands were wet, she put the phone on speaker mode."Hey, Krissy, I'm almost finished with the dishes.We'll be over in ten minutes.""Uh... is this Emily Colasanti?" A deep male voice asked."Oh, sorry. You're not Kristen," Emmy said. "I thought you were my friend, but, yes, I'm Emmy. Who are you?""Hello, I'm James." He paused and took a deep breath. "You may not believe this, but I'm your brother."A sudden change in the leadership at her church leavesEmmy in tears. She records a new CD, goes on a fall tour, where an old friend joins her for a weekwhich leads to an issue between her and Kenny."Emmy, I need to tell you something. I need to confess,"Kenny said as a bolt of lightning flashed and thunder boomed."We have to talk about our future." He held out his arms.Emmy bit her lip. She took a step forward but then stopped. "Oh, Kenny." She closed her eyes. "I don't know if we have a future,"She whispered as she turned away.The "Emmy's Story" series begins when Emmy isfour-years-old and quickly progresses to focuson her teen years and beyond. In this book, "Hello, I'm James: Emmy's Story, Part 11,"Emmy meets an unexpected family member, tours withher new band, faces changes at her churchand struggles with her relationship with Kenny.